Due to a family emergency, I won't be updating for a bit longer than usual. Still, enjoy the cute family fluffy chapter.

~CWA


CHAPTER SEVENTEEN


Danny Fenton

In hindsight, maybe just flying off to New York without so much as warning Tadashi may not be my best plan ever. In my defense, it is a kind of last minute plan. Going to Fred's a few nights ago eventually led to Fred giving me a plane ticket and next thing I know, I'm on this flight to America. A part of me feels indebted to Fred, but he insists that it's no problem and that his only condition is for me to video call him when I'm in New York.

At least I did leave a note to Wasabi that I had left. I don't want him to freak out when he notices that I'm not in the dorm and considering that I locked up my blueprints and took my notebook and thermos with me, I have nothing to worry about if he decides to clean my section of the room while I'm gone.

Though I'm not looking forward to seeing Tadashi when I get back. I hope he's not mad that I just kind of left and I'm sure Wasabi told him about the note by now. With a small wince, I take my phone out of my pocket and turn it on as I wait in the airport for Jazz to pick me up. Sure, I could have just flown here myself or even fly out now to Jazz's place, but New York City is pretty high profile. I don't want to take the risk of someone spotting me.

The first thing that pops up on my phone the second it's done turning on is about a dozen notifications. Missed calls. Text messages. Some are from Hiro, there's a few from Wasabi and even Honey Lemon. But a majority of them are from Tadashi. I skim through them, most read things like Wasabi told me you're flying to America, why didn't you tell me, I guess you're already on the flight, Wasabi told me he only knows because you left a note, you're a real jackass, and call me when you land.

I wince slightly at the messages. I really should have told him, even if it meant exchanging my ticket for a later flight. But to be honest, I just wasn't sure how to tell him. I swallow thickly before I hit the speed dial to call him up.

"Danny? Danny is that you," Tadashi's voice is a bit frantic, "You're a real jackass for not telling me, or any of us aside from that note for Wasabi. You know that right?"

I whine a bit, shifting my weight on my feet as I pout. Apparently Fred's taken the liberty of not admitting that he's the reason I left suddenly since he bought the ticket. If he's going to let me dragged down like this then I have no problem in throwing him under the bus too.

"Yeah, I know. But in my defense, it was really last minute. And you can just blame Fred. He's the one that bought me a ticket to fly out here and so I left in hurry last night. Which I guess makes sense considering that Winter Break just started today and all. And it'd be nice to see Jazz and Ellie for Christmas, I suppose."

"Wait, Fred knew about this and didn't tell us?! And I- wait- who's Ellie-"

Tadashi starts to ask about Ellie, causing me to tense slightly before I cut him off so I don't have to lie.

"-I've never really been one for Christmas, to be honest. When I get back, I'll be sure to tell you the many stories of why Daniel Fenton hates Christmas- spoiler, there's a lot of stories and I can probably go on for hours about it. Though if you talk to the others, I'm sure they'll share some of the stories with you because you weren't there when I told them. But I'm sucking it because it's the holidays. And because my sister will beat my ass if I don't."

I hear him snort at that and I don't blame him. Though to be honest, my whole bad mood about Christmas has gotten better since I've taken in Ellie. Kinda hard to be glum about the holidays when there's a little girl tugging on your arm begging to go see Santa Claus.

"...But don't tell me you're already missing me, Dashi?"

I lightly tease him to distract him from Ellie, which thankfully works as I hear him sputter a bit over the phone. No doubt he's a flustered mess so it looks like I've done my job. I grin a bit and relax knowing that he's not going to be asking about Ellie.

"I- uh- just don't leave like that again, okay," Tadashi finally sighs, "I got worried. Especially after that episode you had a few days ago-"

My expression softens slightly as I hear him grumble a bit to himself. I.. I didn't mean to worry him and there's an apology that almost makes it way out of my mouth, but I swallow it down.

"Okay. I promise I won't suddenly disappear like a jackass again. But if it makes you feel better, I should be back at San Fransokyo later on Christmas Day which means you have me the rest of winter break after that~."

I hear him sputter some more, but I don't give him a chance to reply as I spot Jazz and Ellie in the distance.

"-Gotta go, Dashi. Jazz is here. See ya later, don't miss me too much."

I end the call just before Jazz and Ellie come running toward me. Well, more like Ellie is running toward me and Jazz is just running after her. My little girl is practically flying across the ground. Technically she kind of is flying. Discretely, of course, but her feet is a few centimeters off the ground as she runs to me and jumps high up into my arms. A big grin stretches across my face as I swing her around a bit, her arms clutching to my neck as she laughs.

"Princess," I cry out, "Look at you! You've gotten bigger!"

She giggles at me and a few words in Ghost Speak slip through her babbling before I quiet her down so that no one over hears it. She grins a bit sheepishly at me, blushing when she realizes that she slipped into Ghost Speak. She really does look bigger. It's been a bit under six months, but she looks a few inches taller or even a whole year older than what she did before.

Though in reality, she's probably only gotten taller and just appears older because I'm her father. I shake it all out as Jazz finally reaches us. I set Ellie down and hold her hand tightly so that she can't run off as I greet my sister.

"Hey Jazzypants, lookin' a bit out of shape there."

Jazz huffs and puffs from the running, hunched over a bit. Yet she can still bring herself to look up at me with a minor glare. I just grin cheekily at her as she catches her breath. It takes her a moment, but she's eventually able to stand up fully, still glaring a bit at me before her gaze drops to Ellie and softens. She glances between me and Ellie with a gaze that makes me uneasy like she wants to tell me something, but doesn't want to do it with Ellie around.

"Hey Ellie," Jazz finally speaks up, softly as she kneels down to the ground, "Why don't you play at the little kid zone over there and we'll be over there in a second, okay?"

Ellie bites at her lip and looks at me hesitantly, silently asking if it's okay before she glances toward the nearby Kid Center; it's full of lots of kids that she, no doubts, wants to really play with. I give her a small smile and kneel down to rub our noses together before I send her off with the promise that I'll go play with her soon. She wastes no time in letting go of my hand and running off to play with laughs and giggles.

"She's really grown up, hasn't she," I whisper a bit wistfully, as I go watch her play, "...Though I think she just looks a lot bigger and older than she is because I'm her father… Oh God, Jazz, she's just growing up so fast."

"I know," Jazz sniffles a bit, "She's just… Danny, we're getting old. I'm going to cry!"

She starts to frantically sniffle and wipe at her eyes. Even I have to wipe at my eyes a bit from all the emotions that are starting to come up. We are getting older. Hell, my twentieth birthday isn't that far away since it's already December and it's in January. Oh my god, I'm getting old. It won't be too long before I'm sitting on an old porch swing, waving a cane around and complaining about all 'em youngsters. I sniffle a bit more before I turn to smile at my sister, trying to shake off all the emotions about getting older.

"It's really good to see you again, Jazzy," I admit softly as I bring my sister into a hug, "I missed you and Ellie. A lot. Got homesick after a while and with that panic attack I had the other day I just-"

I don't get a chance to finish as the realization of my words hit. I really shouldn't have mentioned that. As soon as the words left my mouth, I look at my sister in horror as she doesn't hesitate to forget her own sadness about growing old in favor for hitting me upside the head.

"You had another panic attack and didn't tell," she seethes, "Danny I told you to let me know when that happens- I can get some medications for you that are sure to help and make you better."

I wince at her words. I hate when she says stuff like that. Make me better. I know she means well, but the way she says it, it's like I'm broken. Something that needs to be fixed. Sometimes that's always the way it is with her. She sees me, and her patients, as people that need to be fixed without realizing that we aren't broken. We're just… hurt. In pain. We need help, but we don't need ducktape and glue to fix us.

Swallowing deeply, I try to tune Jazz and her little rant out as I focus on Ellie. My sweet little girl. I have missed her so much and just seeing her, just a bit away, playing like a normal little girl fills my heart with so much joy. She looks absolutely adorable over there with the other kids. Her eyes are shining with absolute innocence and joy. There's a big grin on her face and her hair is flying all around her head as she jumps and plays.

"Come on, we have to get Ellie," I interrupt Jazz and don't give her a chance to object as I grab my luggage and head toward my daughter.

The luggage weighs next to nothing to me though it's not like I really have much to being with. A bag for clothes and necessities. My carry on that has my laptop, notebook and thermos. That's pretty much it. Though I have an extra bag full of various things that also has a lot of extra room because how can I not be in New York City without getting something to bring back for the others? It's a great chance to go Christmas shopping after all. I still have to Ellie and Jazz a gift anyway.


The second I enter Jazz's place, a small blue wisp leaving my mouth is my only warning to the oncoming attack. A large green blur is jumping onto me the second that I'm through the doorway. I find myself pinned to the floor by a tiny, familiar green little ghost pup as it gives slobbery kisses all over me.

"Cujo," I laugh a bit, but gently try to push the small puppy off of me, "I missed you too!"

It's a good thing that I can just phase off all the slobber because this is really gross. Dog drool is one thing. Ghost dog drool is another thing entirely. But still, I grin as I greet the beloved guard dog and give it some much needed loves.

"You're such a good boy," I coo, "And you're doing such a good job at protecting Ellie! Good boy!"

He wags his tail happily at me as he sits there with a sloppy dog-grin on his face. Ellie squeals as she sees him and eagerly takes the pup off my hands to go play with it in the house. I knew it was a good decision to have him watch over Ellie. I shake my head a bit fondly- ah a ghost girl and her ghost dog. Nothing like it. My eyes go over the rest of the house before I make my way to my once bedroom.

It's just as I remember it. My once room remains mostly the same minus my personal touches that I took with me. Well, mostly the same. I set my luggage down and eye the few storage boxes that are sitting in the corner causing Jazz to let out a few sheepish noises as she flushes.

"There wasn't really anywhere else to put them," Jazz admits, "Sorry."

I shake my head a bit, letting her know that it's okay. It'd be selfish to think that she wasn't going to do anything to the room. She gives me one last look before she leaves me to my own devices. Not that there's really much to do. Unpack. Take a shower. Get dressed. That's really all there is to it. With Christmas coming up in a few days, it gives me a chance to just relax until then. Spend some time with Ellie. Go shopping for presents. Nothing to it. I can totally do this.

"Daddy," Ellie runs into the room and launches herself at me, "Daddy!"

She's laughing as she hangs from my neck. She dangles there loosely with a big grin on her face. I find her laughter is contagious as I let out a booming laugh of my own as I swing her around my back to the front of me. She's all giggles and laughs as I twist and turn so we're at least facing each other. Man. She's just too cute. Her shirt rides up to reveal a tiny patch of stomach so I give her a big raspberry, causing her to twist and giggle about it tickling.

"Come on, princess," I say as I finally set her down, still grinning ear to ear as I hold her hand, "You can hang out with Auntie Jazz while I go get dressed."

"But I don't wanna hang out with Auntie," Ellie pouts at me, "I wanna hang out with you."

She looks up at me with big wide eyes and pouting lips that makes my heart clench. I lean down to her level so I can look her in the eyes. My hands gently clasp her shoulders,

"We can hang out, princess, I promise. Daddy will be out in the living room in five minutes. Swearsies."

I do a small little X over my heart, signaling the swear. Hearing that causes Ellie to perk up as she eagerly gives me a peck on the cheek before running off to go bother Jazz.


By the third day of my return home, I already feel like I've never even left. Wake up. Get showered. Get dressed. Spend time with Ellie and taking her wherever we need to go. In this case, those trips usually have included the mall and various Christmas shops. Which is good. It gave me a chance to get gifts for everyone at the college along with gifts for Aunt Cass and Hiro because I can't leave them out. The tree is already up and decorated, along with many other various Christmas decorations. Ellie and I even spent the day in the kitchen making cookies and other goodies.

I plop down on a seat by the fireplace, exhaustion taking over me. My eyes go over the stockings at the fire mantel, the cookies that sit on a plate beside a glass of a milk for Santa, and finally to the nearby couch where Ellie is stretched out, soundly asleep with a pillow, a ghost thermos, a stuffed teddy bear, and a blanket. Cujo has his eyes closed as he curls up beside Ellie, but I know that's awake. Ghosts, full ghosts, always are. Occasionally he even cracks an eye open to look at me and the room before closing his eyes again, contempt at everything is as it should be.

"I'm going to take a guess and say that she wanted to try to catch Santa," Jazz says softly as she enters the room with a fond expression.

"As usual," I chuckle a bit, "But just like last year, she's out cold before midnight…. You know, I don't exactly have the best memories when it comes to Christmas, but I do remember that one year we tried to catch Santa. Just to see if Dad was right."

Jazz chuckles a bit at the memory as she takes a seat beside me, offering me one of the two mugs of hot chocolate in her hands.

"Yeah, I remember that too. By midnight, Dad had found out why we were sitting in the living room with fishing nets by the fireplace."

"-And then he tried to be Santa himself," we both say in union as we chuckle to ourselves.

When I was about six years old and Jazz was eight, we really did sit by the fireplace with fishing nets. We took the phrase catch Santa quite literally. We sat there until Dad found out what was going on. Next thing we know, we hear noises on the rooftop and got very excited…. We really believed it was Santa, that he was right about it all… Until we realized that the man stuck in the fireplace with a fake white beard was Dad. Mom had to call the fire department to get him out. It's probably the only fond memory, aside from the ones with Ellie, that I have of Christmas. Though I didn't think of it as a fond memory for a while. It wasn't until I was older did I really see the humor in it.

"...So Danny," Jazz speaks a bit slyly, "How is it going with you and Tadashi?"

I take a few sips of the hot chocolate before I answer her. Though the taste of the hot beverage causes my nose to crinkle. It's not the same as Aunt Cass' special hot chocolate. A part of me already misses them too, but I know that I will see them later tomorrow. So for now, I'm going to enjoy my own family time.

"….I like him," I answer softly, not bringing myself to look her in the eyes, "I… I really like him. So much that I do just want to rush in, but I'm trying to hold myself back. Take it a bit slower… and just let things run its course naturally."

Jazz chuckles a bit as she gently pats my shoulder,

"Funny. I remember when you and Dash realized you liked each other, you went all in without hesitation."

I make a face as I set the drink down. Something about that causes me to flinch as if it's scratching under my skin.

"Yeah, but… Tadashi isn't Dash," a small bit of bitterness seeps from my words that I can't stop, "He's not Sam. He's not Valerie. He's just himself and he's his own person and I need to respect that..."

Jazz's eyes soften as she sighs a bit, patting my shoulder a bit more before she gets up,

"I know, little brother… I know."